Starboard Puts the Active in Activist

Starboard Value may be less than two years old, but as far as activists go, they already have a long track record as they begin a new investment in Office Depot.

Associated Press

The firm’s most high profile fight was a loss, when AOL shareholders decided to stick with management’s ideas for the future. But Starboard has scored several smaller victories in getting itself onto corporate boards since it was spun out from Cowen Group last March.

Since its separation, Starboard has filed nine proxy fights, more than any other investor over that period, according to data from FactSet SharkWatch. The investor has filed as an activist in 14 positions, the data provider says.

Including the time when it was part of Cowen, Starboard has held 86 activist stakes and launched 45 proxy fights in its history, according to FactSet.